An intelligence driven operation conducted by Ehlanzeni District Crime Intelligence Task Team led to the arrest of a 35-year-old bartender at one of the local bars in Shatale, Bushbuckridge yesterday Wednesday 23 August 2023 at about 21:00.

The Task Team and Lydenburg K9 Unit followed up an information pertaining to the bartender who was in possession of firearms for hire to criminals who were involved in a number of fuel stations and business robberies as well as drop in safe bombings.

There are also allegations that the suspect sometimes takes part in these criminal activities.

Amongst the three firearms, one firearm belonged to the late owner of the bar which was reported stolen in Bushbuckridge a while ago.

The other firearm does not show any records of ownership of which there are great possibility that it might have been smuggled into the Republic and the third firearm’s serial number has been erased.

In addition to the recovered firearms, a plastic bag containing dagga was also recovered.

The suspect is expected to appear in Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court today, Thursday 24 August 2023.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela commended members for the exceptionally gathered information. “Mpumalanga police management strongly believe that more business robbery cases in Bushbuckridge and surrounding will now be solved,” said the General. She further added that business people should vet their prospective employees to avoid hiring criminals.

Source: South African Police Service